Arched structure

ABSTRACT

The base of the house comprises a pair of elongated channels extending in spaced parallel relation with the channel webs perpendicular and with the flanges of the channels extending toward each other. Each channel is formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes in the upper flange and has, adjacent each hole, a hook or eye. Arch pipes have their ends inserted in the holes and secured to fixing members disposed in the flanges. Rectilinear members, such a pipes, extend in spaced parallel relation longitudinally of the arch pipes and are fixedly positioned on the arch pipes by coupling members each having a pair of U-shaped slots, the two slots being relatively angularly offset from each other by about 90*. One slot engages an arched pipe and the other slot engages a rectilinear pipe. Each coupling member also has two pairs of substantially parallel fingers defining one of the two U-shaped slots, and each finger is formed with an elongated slot therein, the slots in the upper and lower fingers of each pair converging toward each other in the direction of the rectilinear member. These elongated slots receive pins or bolts for securing the connecting members. The connecting members extend between alternate couplings along the arched pipe, and turnbuckles or the like may connect each connecting member to a base channel for tightening the connecting member.

United States Patent 191 Utahara 1 1 ARCHED STRUCTURE Motoo Utahara, l-24-7 Okusawa, Setagaya-ku, Japan [22] Filed: June 27, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 266,588

[76] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland Attorney, Agent, or FirmMcGlew and Tuttle [57] ABSTRACT The base of the house comprises a pair of elongated Mar. 26, 1974 the holes and secured to fixing members disposed in" the flanges. Rectilinear members, such a pipes, extend in spaced parallel relation longitudinally of the arch pipes and are fixedly positioned on the arch pipes by coupling members each having a pair of U-shaped slots, the two slots being relatively angularly offset from each other by about 90. One slot engages an arched pipe and the other slot engages a rectilinear pipe. Each coupling member also has two pairs of substantially parallel fingers defining one of the two U- shaped slots, and each finger is formed with an elongated slot therein, the slots in the upper and lower fingers of each pair converging toward each other in the direction of the rectilinear member. These elongated slots receive pins or bolts for securing the connecting members. The connecting members extend between alternate couplings along the arched pipe, and turnbuckles or the like may connect each connecting member to a base channel for tightening the connecting member.

13 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMARZB 1974 SHEET & 0F 7 FIG. /2.

FIG. /4.

PATENTED 2 6 SHEET 5 OF 7 1 ARCIIED STRUCTURE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the coupling condition;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the same;

FIG. 17 is a spread plan of a coupling member of dif- This invention relates generally to reinforcing of a ferent form before fitting;

pipe house which is constructed by a simple and quick process. More specially it relates to reinforcing to fix the joints of the pipe house firmly. The characteristic feature of the pipe house of the present invention is that arch pipes and straight members are mutually crossed at a right angle and, coupled with coupling members. The coupling members are devised to fix the arch pipe and the straight member with easy and simple means, and is formed with two U-shaped slots. One slot embraces the straight member in its inner end while the other slot embraces the-arch pipe. The two slots are angularly offset 90 to each other. Four fingers are projected to make the two U-shaped slots. On each finger, there is a narrow elongated slot which is used to fasten the connecting members. Each connecting member connects alternate coupling members,. The coupling members are connected by connecting members in various ways so as to be securely fastened in position.

In the conventional pipe house construction, the arch pipes and straight members are fixed with bands which are set with bolts and nuts, or welded, or by other means. All these are coupled by means of special tools or complicated workmanship.

However, in the present invention, the pipe house can be constructed without using complicated tools. The coupling members and connecting members in the present invention are so efficiently designed that they may be applied using only familiar and handy tools or human hands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects and advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe house with windows on the side and an entrance.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view of the frame construction;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the same;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of a part of the pipe house;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory perspective view of the coupling member and the connecting members.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end of a connecting member;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the same;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a coupling member with bolts;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a window frame fixed to the coupling members of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory perspective view of coupling member and connecting members in another modified form;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory front view of the stirrup piece and the connecting member;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory perspective view of a coupling member and connecting members, in another modified form;

FIG. I3 is a side view of the same;

FIG. I4 is an explanatory plan view of the coupling member which is spread before fitting;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory perspective view of the coupling member;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a wedge piece, a connecting member, and a pin;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory side view of another em-' DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, the present invention comprises a pair of foundation members 1, 1. The foundation member 1 has a row of the inserting holes la la and fixing members 1c 10 to secure the ends of the arch pipes 2 2. The foundation members 1 have also the hooks or eyes lb lb to fix the connecting members 5 5. The reference characters 3 3 denote the straight members which are arranged to cross the arch pipes 2 2 at a right angle, parallel each other, horizontal in the longitudinal direction of the pipe house. The arch pipe 2 and the straight member 3 are jointed by means of a coupling member 4. It has four fingers 4a 4a and 4aa 4aa. A first U-shaped slot 4b, between the finger 4a and the finger 4aa embraces the straight member 3 while the fingers 4a 4a form the second U-shaped slot 40 which fixes the arch pipe 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the first slot 4b and the second slot 40 have an angular difference as large as The finger 4a has a long slot 4d while the finger 4aa has an another long slot 4e. The two slots 4d 4e extend at almost a right angle to each other, converging toward the inner end of the U-shaped' slot. Slots 4d and 4e receive pins 5b extending through tubular cross members 5a on the ends of connecting members 5. The connecting member 5, in this embodiment, is a wire rope. Sometimes it is a rod. In case of the wire rope, as shown in FIG. 4, the turnbuckle 5c is attached between the hook 1b and the lowest caupling member 4. The turnbuckle 5c is used for adjusting the length of the connecting member 5. When the connecting member 5 is shortened by the turnbackle 5c, the tubular cross portions of members 5a 5a are forced nearer to the side of the arch pipe 2, till the axis 5a and the arch pipe 2 firmly touch together. FIG. 5 shows the operation of the connecting members 55.

Next, one of the embodiments is described, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9. On the back of the coupling member 4, two bolts 4f 4f are provided to fix the frame 6 of a window.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the coupling member 4 and the connecting member 5.

In this embodiment, the coupling member 4 is positioned by the semi circular cover 3a 3b. By this the position of the arch pipe 2 is defined. The coupling member 4 has two square holes 5h 5h. The stirrup piece 5d is engaged in the holes 5h 5h and pinned by the pin 5]" on the opposite side. When the connecting members 5 5 are pulled to the opposite direction, the pin Sfcan fix the position of the arch pipe 2 forcibly. (Se) is a ring on the back of the stirrup piece 5d, and the hook 5g connects the ring 52 and the connecting member 5.

FIG. 12 shows the modification of the coupling member 4 which was shown in FIG. 10. Each finger 4a 4a 4a 4a has a cam piece 4f. The cam surfaces of the cam pieces 4g 4g 4g 4g face toward the arch pipe 2. When the connecting members 5 5 pull in opposite directions, the pins 5f5fslide towards the arch pipe 2 till they push the arch pipe 2 tightly.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the coupling member 4, in spread state before coupling the straight member 3 and the arch pipe 2. FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show another embodiment of the coupling member 4. It has four square holes 4i 4i 4i 41 on the fingers 4a 4a 4a 4a. After it embraces the straight member 3 the legs of the stirrup pieces 5d 5d are engaged in square holes 4i 4i from upper side and lower side and are fixed by the pins 5f 5f. The connecting members 5 5 are pulled in opposite directions by means of the rings 5e 5e and hooks 5g 5g.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show still another embodiment of reinforcing method arrangement. The coupling member 4 embraces the arch. pipe 2 in the innermost part of the U-shaped slot 40 and the straight member 3 in the other U-shaped slot 4b Two wedge pieces 5h 5h are set between the fingers 4a 4a keeping the bevelled edges Si Si at the upper part and the lower part, respectively. On the opposite sides of the wedge piece 5h 5h there are eyes Sj Sj on which the connecting member 5 5 are hung. When the connecting members 5 5 are pulled strongly in opposite directions, the pins 5k 5k are guided to let the bevelled edges Si Si touch the arch pipe 2 by means of the slots 4d 4e on the fingers 4a 4a.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show another modification of the connecting member 5 5. In this embodiment the coupling member 4 embraces the arch pipe 2 between two fingers 4a 4a and the straight member 3, made of wood, is fixed at the back of the coupling member 4. Two rollers 51 51 are fitted between the fingers 4a 4a of the coupling member 4 by means of the pins 5m 5m with the holding parts 5n 5n. The connecting member 5 is, in this case, made of wire rope. It passes around two rollers 51 51 making a loop. One end of theconnecting member 5 is attached with a turnbuckle 5c which tensions wire rope 5 to fix the portion of the coupling member 4 andthe straight member 3.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show another reinforcing arrangement which has two concaved rollers 5p 5p attached to the connecting members 5 5 on their ends. The connecting members 5 5 have stirrup pieces 5d 5d. The concaved rollers 5p 5p are fitted to the stirrup pieces 5d 5d by the pins 5m 5m which have holding parts 5n 5n. The pins 5m Sslide along the long slots 4d 4d on the fingers 4a 4a of the coupling member 4. When the connecting members 5 5 are tensioned by the turnbuckle 5c, 50, the concaved surfaces of the rollers 5p 5p push tightly the arch pipes 2 2.

FIG. 24 shows a coupling member 4 modified from the embodiment shown with FIG. 5. The main difference is that the new one has an offset 4j for covering the head of the pin 512.

According to the present invention, all parts necessary to fabricate the pipe house are made in the factory and can be assembled at the site without any complicated, special tools. Only simple, familiar handy tools and handwork is required to build the pipe house in a few hours. Owing to the devised reinforcing method, the pipe house can be completed very economically.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pipe house including longitudinal spaced arch pipes extending laterally between elongated base members, and laterally spaced, longitudinally extending rectilinear elements crossing and interconnected to the arch pipes; a reinforcing arrangement. comprising, in combination, a pair of laterally spaced said elongated channel base members having their webs oriented vertically, the upper flanges of the channel members being formed with correspondingly located longitudinally spaced apertures receiving the ends of the arch pipes and with anchor formations adjacent each aperture; fixing members in each channel securing the ends of the arch pipes therein; coupling members connecting each arch pipe to each rectilinear element, each coupling member having spaced parallel leg means defining a first slot, nesting the associated arch pipe, and a second slot, oriented at an angle of to said first slot, nesting the associated rectilinear element in contiguous engagement with the associated arch pipe; respective anchor members extending transversely of each secorid slot outwardly of the associated rectilinear member; respective pair of tension members extending generally along each arch pipe and each connected at one end to an anchor formation of a respective channel member; one tension member of each pair having tensioning engagement with the anchor members of alternate coupling members along the associated arch pipe, and the other tension member of each pair having tensioning engagement with the anchor members of the coupling members which are intermediate such alternate coupling members; and tension adjusting means each connecting the opposite end of a respective tension member to an anchoring formation of a respective channel member; whereby said pipe house may be easily erected, without the use of special tools.

2. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 1, in which each tension member comprises plural elongated tension elements extending in series generally along the associated arch pipe; each tension element being connected between the anchor members of a pair of coupling members having a third coupling member located therebetween along the associated arch pipe.

3. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, in which each said leg means is formed by a pair of substantially coplanar fingers extending from a bight, the two pairs of coplanar fingers defining said first slot therebetween, and the facing inner edges of said coplanar fingers defining, with said bight, said second slot; each finger being formed with an elongated slot therein adjacent its outer end, and the slots of each pair of fingers converging toward said bight; said anchor members comprising respective pins engaged in said elongated slots and extending across said first slot; each tension element being connected to a respective pin.

4. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 3, in which each tension element has, at each of its opposite ends, a respective tubular portion extending transversely thereof and receiving the associated pin.

5. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, including bolts projecting outwardly from each bight for securement of a window frame and the like to said coupling members.

6. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, in which each tension element has, at its opposite ends, a respective stirrup apertured to receive the associated said pin.

7. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, in which each coupling member comprises an initially flat I-l-shaped member which is bent, intermediate its ends, into a cylindrical shape to define said second slot, with the two pairs of legs of the H-shape extending from the cylindrical portion with the corresponding legs of each pair being superposed and the superposed legs defining said first slot; said anchor members comprising pins engaging said superposed legs, each tension element being connected to a respective pin; and means restraining displacement of said pins longitudinally of said superposed legs.

8. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 7, in which each pair of superposed legs is formed with a respective aperture therethrough; esch tension element having, at each opposite end, a respective stirrup having legs extending through the apertures and formed with holes receiving the associated pins.

9. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 7, in which each edge of each leg has a respective cam extending outwardly therefrom and constituting said means restraining displacement of said pins; each tension element extending through said first slot and being connected to a respective pin.

10. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, in which each coupling member is an initially flat H-shaped blank which is bent into a U- shape to define a bight forming said second slot; the two pairs of legs extending from said bight defining said first slot; said legs being formed with slots therein; respective apertured wedge pieces positioned between each laterally aligned pair of legs and formed with means for securement of a respective tension element thereto; and respective pins extending through each pair of slots and through the aperture in the associated wedge piece; the bevelled edges of said wedge pieces engaging the associated arch pipe.

11. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 3, including respective rollers mounted on each pin in said first slot; said tension elements being connected to said rollers.

12. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 11, in which each roller has an axially concave peripheral surface.

13. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 11, in which said rectilinear elements comprise wooden beams. 

1. In a pipe house including longitudinal spaced arch pipes extending laterally between elongated base members, and laterally spaced, longitudinally extending rectilinear elements crossing and interconnected to the arch pipes; a reinforcing arrangement, comprising, in combination, a pair of laterally spaced said elongated channel base members having their webs oriented vertically, the upper flanges of the channel members being formed with correspondingly located longitudinally spaced apertures receiving the ends of the arch pipes and with anchor formations adjacent each aperture; fixing members in each channel securing the ends of the arch pipes therein; coupling members connecting each arch pipe to each rectilinear element, each coupling member having spaced parallel leg means defining a first slot, nesting the associated arch pipe, and a second slot, oriented at an angle of 90* to said first slot, nesting the associated rectilinear element in contiguous engagement with the associated arch pipe; respective anchor members extending transversely of each second slot outwardly of the associated rectilinear member; respective pair of tension members extending generally along each arch pipe and each connected at one end to an anchor formation of a respective channel member; one tension member of each pair having tensioning engagement with the anchor members of alternate coupling members along the associated arch pipe, and the other tension member of each pair having tensioning engagement with the anchor members of the coupling members which are intermediate such alternate coupling members; and tension adjusting means each connecting the opposite end of a respective tension member to an anchoring formation of a respective channel member; whereby said pipe house may be easily erected, without the use of special tools.
 2. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 1, in which each tension member comprises plural elongated tension elements extending in series generally along the associated arch pipe; each tension element being connected between the anchor members of a pair of coupling members having a third coupling member located therebetween along the associated arch pipe.
 3. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, in which each said leg means is formed by a pair of substantially coplanar fingers extending from a bight, the two pairs of coplanar fingers defining said first slot therebetween, and the facing inner edges of said coplanar fingers defining, with said bight, said second slot; each finger being formed with an elongated slot therein adjacent its outer end, and the slots of each pair of fingers converging toward said bight; said anchor members comprising respective pins engaged in said elongated slots and extending across said first slot; each tension element being connected to a respective pin.
 4. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 3, in which each tension element has, at each of its opposite ends, a respective tubular portion extending transversely thereof and receiving the associated pin.
 5. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, including bolts pRojecting outwardly from each bight for securement of a window frame and the like to said coupling members.
 6. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, in which each tension element has, at its opposite ends, a respective stirrup apertured to receive the associated said pin.
 7. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, in which each coupling member comprises an initially flat H-shaped member which is bent, intermediate its ends, into a cylindrical shape to define said second slot, with the two pairs of legs of the H-shape extending from the cylindrical portion with the corresponding legs of each pair being superposed and the superposed legs defining said first slot; said anchor members comprising pins engaging said superposed legs, each tension element being connected to a respective pin; and means restraining displacement of said pins longitudinally of said superposed legs.
 8. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 7, in which each pair of superposed legs is formed with a respective aperture therethrough; esch tension element having, at each opposite end, a respective stirrup having legs extending through the apertures and formed with holes receiving the associated pins.
 9. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 7, in which each edge of each leg has a respective cam extending outwardly therefrom and constituting said means restraining displacement of said pins; each tension element extending through said first slot and being connected to a respective pin.
 10. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 2, in which each coupling member is an initially flat H-shaped blank which is bent into a U-shape to define a bight forming said second slot; the two pairs of legs extending from said bight defining said first slot; said legs being formed with slots therein; respective apertured wedge pieces positioned between each laterally aligned pair of legs and formed with means for securement of a respective tension element thereto; and respective pins extending through each pair of slots and through the aperture in the associated wedge piece; the bevelled edges of said wedge pieces engaging the associated arch pipe.
 11. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 3, including respective rollers mounted on each pin in said first slot; said tension elements being connected to said rollers.
 12. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 11, in which each roller has an axially concave peripheral surface.
 13. In a pipe house, a reinforcing arrangement, as claimed in claim 11, in which said rectilinear elements comprise wooden beams. 